No, he’s not a character from a Dickens novel. He’s Father G.B. Weikamp, a native of Westphalia, Germany. In 1850 he came to Chicago, where he started St. Francis Church. In 1855, he started the Indian Mission at Cross Village, Michigan, in 1855. He served there until his death on March 19, 1889. Father Weikamp’s [Read More...]

Is it just me, or does Father William George McCloskey look suspiciously like Stephen Colbert? Born in Brooklyn, McCloskey was a cousin of John McCloskey, who in 1875 became the first American Cardinal. After studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, he was ordained a priest in 1850. After teaching at his alma mater, [Read More...]

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About Pat McNamara

A native of Queens, I have attended Catholic schools from grammar through graduate school. I currently teach Church History at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie. I have authored three books and several articles on Catholic America, my special interests being the history of the Church in New York City and State. I feel deeply privileged to be teaching young men in formation for the Roman Catholic priesthood.